CENTER FOR POLITICAL THEOLOGY
Villanova University’s Center for Political Theology advances discussions of religion and politics that engage deeply with the Christian tradition and speak broadly to pressing issues of the day.
Part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Center brings Christian theologians into dialogue with humanities scholars and social scientists to explore the intersection of religion and politics, while also helping students understand and participate in those conversations.
WHAT WE DO
The Center is closely aligned with two scholarly initiatives: The Political Theology Network and the Political Theology journal. Hosted in the Center, The Political Theology Network is a professional association supporting cross-disciplinary research in political theology. PTN’s cornerstone activities are its national conferences, bringing together scholars across the disciplines interested in political theology.
The Political Theology journal publishes eight issues per year with Routledge on topics such as political theology of literature, political theology in India, political theology and the death penalty and religion and dignity in China.
The Center runs an annual workshop for doctoral students from around the country writing dissertations on political theology, hosts an ongoing virtual dissertation writing group and maintains a mentoring program for underrepresented doctoral students in political theology. The Center continues to expand these educational initiatives, creating a space for informal intellectual discussion around issues of religion and politics for both undergraduate and graduate students.
The Political Theology Network blog publishes three or four essays per week on a diverse array of topics. The Network's podcast, “Assembly,” features monthly conversations on topics including economic justice, religion and #metoo, criminal justice reform, and the meaning of “political theology," and we host major interdisciplinary gatherings on topics ranging from racism and death, to dignity in marginalized communities, to religious freedom in a global frame.
